1+Characteristics+of+Middle+Level+Learners

**The ability of a human being to learn is amazing and unique and should never be underestimated.**

The middle level student is intellectually curious about the world and themselves. They prefer active over passive learning experiences and respond positively to opportunities to participate in real life situations. Although they are highly self-conscious and sensitive to personal criticism, most still favor interaction with peers during learning activities versus working alone. Middle level children are in a transition period from concrete thinking to more abstract contemplation; the use of essential questions work well here as they can help students get the “big idea” and ponder universal issues rather than just gathering “facts” .

**Middle Level Learner Characteristics (10-15 Years)** Physiological changes at puberty promote rapid growth, the maturity of sexual organs, and development of secondary sex characteristics. Experience rapid, irregular physical growth. Restlessness due to hormonal changes, maturity rates vary. Need daily physical activities. Cognitive Development //** During early adolescence, precursors to formal operational thinking appear, including a limited ability to think hypothetically and to take multiple perspectives. During middle and late adolescence formal operational thinking becomes well developed and integrated in a significant percentage of adolescents. The transition from concrete thinking to abstract begins to take place. Social relationships in early adolescence are centered in the peer group. Group values guide individual behavior. Acceptance by peers is critical to self-esteem. Most peer relationships are still same-sex. Young adolescents become interested in sexual relationships, but most contact is through groups. Some youth may begin to experiment with sexual behavior, but many early adolescents are not sexually active with other youth. Social roles are still largely defined by external sources. During middle and late adolescence, values become individualized and internalized after careful consideration and independent thought. Friends are more often selected on personal characteristics and mutual interests. The peer group declines in importance, individual friendships are strengthened, and more youth "date" in one-on-one relationships. The youth experiments with social roles and explores options for career choice. || The early adolescent is strongly identified with the peer group. Youth depend upon their peers for emotional stability and support and to help mold the youth's emerging identity. Self-esteem is greatly affected by acceptance of peers. Early adolescents are emotionally labile with exaggerated affect and frequent mood swings. They are very vulnerable to emotional stress. During middle and late adolescence, identity is more individualized, and a sense of self develops and stabilizes that is separate from either family or peer group. Self esteem is influenced by the youth's ability to live up to internalized standards for behavior. Self-assessment and introspection are common.
 * //Physical Development //**
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 * [[image:http://rattails.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/justin-bieber-my-world.jpg width="292" height="268"]] || **//Social Development //**
 * //Emotional Development //**